Scriptures Reading: 1st Timothy提摩太前書 5:17-18, "Theelders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of doublehonor, especially those whomtheir work involve preaching and teaching. 18, For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzlethe ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."申命記Deuteronomy25:4牛在場上踹穀的時候、不可籠住他的嘴。

Commentary: Do not muzzle an ox while itis treading out the grain, because the ox circled around the lowermillstone, it stomped the grain with its hooves (吸塵器), which separated the kernels (仁) from the chaff(糠). Therefore, the ox was eating its share of payment of the labor. It also said in Luke 10:7, "forthe worker deserves his wages.(因為工人得工價、是應當的)."

Inthe same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preachthe gospelshould receive their living from the gospel. -(1Corinthians 9)主也是這樣命定、叫傳福音的靠著福音養生。

2. Whatif Accusations Are Made Against a Pastor or Elder?如何處理被控告之長老? V.v. 19-25

19. Do not entertain anaccusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

Commentary:Leaders arenot exempt from sin, faults, and mistakes.

20.Thosewho sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

Commentary: Sometimes leaders should be rebuked or confrontedabout their behavior,

21.I charge you, in the sight of God andChrist Jesus and the elect angels, tokeep theseinstructions without partiality, and to do nothing out offavoritism.

Commentary:All those angels who did not rebelagainst God are elect angels.We must be constantly on guard againstfavoritism, against giving preferential treatment to some and ignoring others.

22.Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in thesins of others.Keep yourself pure.

Commentary: a) Paul remindsTimothy to fan into flame the giftof God, which is in Timothy through thelaying on of Paul's hands. - 2 Timothy 1:6 "為此我題醒你、使你將 神藉我按手所給你的恩賜、再如火挑旺起來。提後一:6". b). Make surewe honor people for who they are in Christ, not for who are gifted orrich without realizing what theyare doing.c)Now that you have purified yourselvesby obeying the truth so that youhavesincere love for your brothers,love one another deeply, from the heart.

23.Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of yourstomach and your frequent illnesses.

Commentary: Ge.14:18, itsaying, ‘Melchizedek king of Salembrought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,'because "wine that gladdens the heart of man得酒能悅人心 (Psalm詩篇104:15)Therefore, Proverbs箴言31:6, it saying, "Give beer to those who are perishing, wineto those who are in anguish;可以把濃酒給將亡的人喝．把清酒給苦心的人喝．It is unclear why Paul gave this advice to him.Perhaps contaminated water had led to his indigestion and so he should stopdrinking only water; by adding a little vinegar is help the digestion; but thisstatement is not an invitation to alcoholism.

24-25.The sins of some men are obvious,reaching the place of judgment ahead of them;the sins of others trail behind them. 25. Inthe same way, good deeds are obvious,and even those that are not cannot be hidden.Commentary:Paul instructs Timothyto choose leaders carefully because sometimes their sins are not obvious and ittakes time for them to be revealed.

3. How Does OurTreatment of Others Reflect on (歸咎於) God?怎樣合平神旨意之處理: 1Timothy6:1-2

v.1, all who are under the yoke of slaveryshould consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God''s name andour teaching may not be slandered.

v.2, those who have believing masters arenot to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they areto serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service arebelievers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge onthem.

Commentary: AsChristians, masters and slaves became spiritual equals, Galatians 3:28, itsaying, ‘There is nether Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male, nor female, foryou are all one in Christ Jesus. 29, ifyou belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to thepromise. It meant all believers participate in this promise and are blessed aschildren of Abraham. Paul did not speak against the institution of slavery, buthe gave guidelines for Christian slaves and Christian masters. His counsel forthe master/slave relationship can be applied to the employer/employeerelationship today. Employees should work hard, showing respect for theiremployers. In turn, employers should be fair (Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:22-25). Ourwork should reflect our faithfulness on God.

4. CONCLUSIONS:結論:a) the elders who direct the affairs of the church well areworthy of double honor, especially those whose work is reaching and teaching(1 Tim.5:17).

b) Do no entertain anaccusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.According to the procedure Jesus outlined:

Step 1 is to‘go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. (Matt.18:15)

Step 2 Takeone or two others along, so that every matter may be established by thetestimony of two or three witnesses. (Matthew 18:16)

Step 3 "If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;and if theyrefuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a taxcollector"(Matthew 18:17)

Thefinal in Timothy 5:20, ‘Those elders who are sinning you are to reprovebefore everyone"The procedure, from beginning to end, has an eye on thecorrection and restoration of the offender. It makes it possible for justice tobe achieved without destroying the individual or the church.